The Adventures of Moly follows a lovable therapy dog who time-travels to ancient Pompeii, befriends a Roman boy and his dog, and faces history’s greatest disasters with courage, heart, and wagging tail. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I always knew that Pompeii would be the destination for Moly in her second adventure. My wife and I visited the ruins of that ancient city on our honeymoon, and I figured that children would love a story about a civilization where a volcano erupted nearby.

How did you research Pompeii to make it come alive for young readers without making it too scary?

I focused on what life was like for everyday Pompeiians and wanted to make it relatable by having a Pompeiian child with his dog guiding Moly through the city’s streets to help steer the narrative. I felt that children would find that entertaining and educational.

The illustrations add so much warmth. Did you collaborate closely with the artist, and how did that process work?

Yes I did. First, I supplied Valeria Leonova, the illustrator, with the final draft of the story with illustration suggestions. Then she supplied illustrations for my review and approval. The process takes about eight months from start to finish.

Can you give us a hint about Moly’s next time-travel destination?

Moly will be traveling on The Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman in her third adventure.

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